CBSE 12th English Exam 2024 : Short & Long Answer Type Questions for Last-Minute Revision

CBSE Class 10 students will write their second major paper for the ongoing board exams on 22nd February 2024 (Thursday). With only one day left for the exam, it’s time to focus on your concepts and practice important questions.

In this article, we will provide valuable tips and present short and long answer type questions to aid students in their final revision for the upcoming CBSE 12th English Exam. This contains important questions with solutions which will be the best resource for quick and effective revision at first.

CBSE 12th English Exam 2024 Short & Long Answer Type Questions

SHORT ANSWER Type Questions

1. Why was Franz surprised to see villagers in his class?

Ans. Franz was surprised to see villagers sitting in his class on the last bench because that was highly unusual occurrence. Usually, those los benches stayed empty during everyday classes.

2. Rationalise how Franz fared on his participle quiz

Ans. Franz did badly in the participle quiz When M. Hamel asked him to recite, he jumbled up the words, gripped the table and stood there with his head down.

3. Do you believe that ‘God-given lineages can be broken’? Support your position with a rationale.

Ans. I do believe that one’s work is not determined by lineage but by talent and hard work. For example, APJ Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and had a challenging student life before he joined ISRO. Another example is Kalpana Chawla, who was born in a city in Haryana and studied hard in the US to become the first Indian woman to go to space.

4. What does garbage mean to the adults and children of Seemapuri? [CBSE 2015, 12]

Ans. The adults view garbage as a survival tool since they can sell or use what they find in the garbage. The children view garbage like nunca treasure hunt where they hope to find ten-. rupee notes.

5. Seemingly small everyday wins are actually the greatest learnings of life. Comment on the statement with reference to the chapter “Deep Water”. [CBSE Question Bank 2021]

Ans. William Douglas overcame his fear of water not in a day but by swimming everyday with the help of an instructor. But this was not enough. He took on bigger and bigger challenges gradually to completely become free of fear.

6. How did Douglas remove the residual doubts about his fear of water? [CBSE 2015]

Ans. To remove his residual doubts, Douglas swam from Warm Lake to the other shore and back. Then, he shouted with joy at what he had accomplished.

7. Despite his philosophical insights, the vagabond fails to resist temptations. What would you attribute this to? Explain with reference to any instance from the text.

Ans. It’s very difficult to be philosophical on an empty stomach. The peddler’s hunger and poverty tempted him off the straight and narrow path. That is why, he had stolen from the old crofter who helped him.

8. Why was Gandhi opposed to Charles F. Andrews helping him in Champaran?

Ans. Gandhi was opposed to Charles F. Andrews helping him in Champaran because he believed that Indians should be self-reliant. Any help from the English, however well- intentioned, was a sign of weakness.

9. Why did the author appear to be doing or nothing at the studios?

Ans. The author was hired to cut and keep a the record of all articles about Gemini Studios in the papers. This was fairly light work when compared to work done by others. So, it appeared to the others that the author was doing nothing..

10. What are some of the positive views on interviews?

Ans. The interview is a fairly young medium being just 130 years old. It has become a staple form of journalism. It gives a vivid impression of the
contemporaries who are being interviewed. And it is an enormously effective medium of communication.

11. Sophie is caught between the world she lives in and the world she wants to live in. Elucidate.

Ans. Sophie’s present world is one of hard work, anxiety and discomfort as seen in her life with her parents. She therefore lives in her active
imagination where she has ambitions for her future and meets interesting people like Danny Casey.

12. Why does the poet feel uncomfortable at the fact of her mother’s mortality? Rationalise.

Ans. Death is a very difficult fact to face for anyone. Parents are a guiding and protective force for adult children as well Hence, the poet found it difficult to face the fact of her mother’s aging and mortality.

13. Bring out the contrast between stillness and inactivity in Pablo Neruda’s ‘Keeping Quiet’. You may begin your answer like this: Stillness is a peaceful pause in speech and…………

Ans. Stillness is the peaceful pause in speech and activity which leads to introspection and insight Stillness has life while inactivity is the absence Ed of any kind of speech and action almost akin to death. Inactivity lacks life.

14. If you were given an opportunity to share your perception of beauty, what would you say? Explain. [CBSE Question Bank 2021]

Ans. Beauty to me is simple and natural Simple and natural beauty can be found in a kind heart, a sweet smile, a quiet moment and a generous attitude. In nature and in human beings, all the things which adhere to these two criteria can be considered as beautiful in my opinion.

15. What are the probable causes of the passing cars to stop near the roadside stand?

Ans. In ‘A Roadside Stand by Robert Frost, the poet lists three probable causes why the people in ‘selfish cars’ stop by the roadside stand. One is to enquire about the price; another is to ask

16. Why did Aunt Jennifer create animals that are so different from her own character? What might the poet be suggesting through this difference?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer embroidered these fierce animals which are so different from her, because she wanted her creations to have a life that was denied to her. A life in which they are liberated and free instead of being weighed down by duties and responsibilities.

17. Do you agree with Sam’s assessment that Charley’s find was his ‘waking dream wish fulfillment”?

Ans. Yes, in a way Charley wanted to escape the stresses of modern life, so it was his waking dream wish fulfillment that he found the third level of the Grand Central, which took him back to the 1890s.

18. Who spread the rumour of the fabled speaking ten-day-old Infant, the future Tiger King?

Ans. In a monarchy, the king is the most powerful person. It is possible he or his loyal courtiers would have spread the rumour about the vocal ten-day-old infant in order to create an aura of wonder around the king.

19. Why does the author call Antarctica the ‘end of the Earth’? Explain.

Ans. The author calls Antarctica the ‘end of the Earth’ because it is the southernmost continent of the planet, and at a great distance from the inhabited parts of the world.

20. In what condition did Dr. Sadao find the American soldier at the seashore?

Ans. Dr. Sadao and Hana found the American soldier on the seashore in a battered state. He was bleeding from his gunshot and was torn because the sea threw him on the rocks. He was barely alive.

21. Mr. Lamb comes across as an intriguingperson based on the conversation he has with Derry. He has unique beliefs which reflect the values he has learnt in life. Comment on the values that underpin his dislike for curtains and closed spaces.

Ans. Mr. Lamb does not like curtains because he wanted to be close to nature. He liked the open windows to let in sunshine or darkness. He liked to hear the wind. He believed that curtains either shut things out or shut them in, which was something he didn’t like.

22. The pain of separation is expressed both literally and metaphorically in this poem. Elucidate.

Ans. The pain of separation in ‘My Mother at Sixty- Six’ is one of physical separation since the poet Seo was leaving her mother in Cochin while catching flight. The metaphorical separation is one that the poet fears. She fears an eternal separation from her mother because of her death.

23. What were the poet’s feelings as she drove to Cochin Airport?

Ans. When the poet was driving to Cochin Airport, her mother was beside her. The poet noticed her mother sleeping with her mouth open and realised that she had grown old. The thought- made her uncomfortable.

24. In the hot season, how do man and beast get comfort? DMO [CBSE 2017]

Ans. In the hot season, nature provides man and beast with comfort. The thickets and groves of woodland, the streams and flowers provide cool comfort to anyone who seeks them.

25. How does a thing of beauty provide shelter and comfort?

Ans. Indeed a thing of beauty provides shelter and comfort. The cool dark shade of the tree gives a sleep full of dreams. The cool stream flowing beside it soothes the soul of the viewer.

LONG ANSWER Type Questions

26. What does it mean when M. Hamel says ‘We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with’?

Ans. M. Hamel was talking about the people of the village when he said ‘we’ in this sentence He included himself in the group. He believed that because the adults in the village dd not take the education of children like Frontseriously before, they had to pay the price for it now. He mentioned that Franz alone was not responsible for not knowing the rules of French participles, but also his parents who wanted him to work in the fields rather than go to class He blamed himself as well for sending Franzt water his flowers or declaring a holiday when it was convenient for him.

27. What was the difference between M. Hamel as a teacher before and after the Berlin order?

Ans. Before the Berlin order, M. Hamel was a strict teacher who used his terrible’ iron ruler and scolded children who did not revise their lessons or were late Children were scared of his ruler. He sometimes sent students like Franz to do errands, such as to water his plants. He also took it easy when it suited him, sometimes giving the day off to the students if he wanted to take off himself. After the Berlin order, M. Hamel changed He did not use the iron ruler. He became a kind and considerate teacher. He did not scold Franz when he was late for the class and didn’t answer the question on French participles. Instead, he took a philosophical view of his failure. He was also emotional since the Berlin order ended his career as a teacher in that school after forty years.

28. ‘Food is more important for survival than Asean identity.’ Examine ‘Lost Spring’ by Anees thos Jung in light of this statement.

Ans. The ragpickers of Seemapuri came from Dhaka in Bangladesh. They travelled a long distance to get to the outskirts of Delhi. This migration was not voluntary. Their homes and fields were washed away by harsh storms. So, they had to elped move to a place where they could at least be able to eat. When the moved from their courty. they lost a part of their identity. When they warrived here, they had to live near garbage icdumps in Seemapuri in temporary shelters made of tin and tarpaulin, without proper running water, sewage or drainage facilities. For thirty years, they stayed here without Inne proper identity. Because of their Indian ration lp card, they could get some provisions. Even o be these appalling conditions were preferable to starvation. This is why one of the women from Seemapuri said that food was more important and than an identity.

29. Imagine you are Tishani Doshi, the author of Journey to the end of the Earth’. You come across Anees Jung’s account of rag-pickers in Seemapuri who were forced to leave their native lend due to climate changes. Write an account describing them as ‘climate refugees’.

Ans. Climate refugees are people who are forced to flee from their country/city because of drastic changes in the weather or naturd environment which affects their livelihood. This could be flooding, drought, desertification, rise in sea levels or unseasonal weather patterns to Another term for them is ‘environmenta migrants: ‘Refugee’ carries the sense of being persecuted. But climate refugees are not fleeing because they are being persecuted in a legal sense. They move from one place to another to survive. Climate refugees can migrate within the same country or to another country. Saheb and his family left Dhaka, Bangladesh because their fields and homes were washed away by many storms and sar migrated to Seemapuri, India. Hence, they can be considered climate refugees.

30. Like William Douglas, have you been gripped by fear and then been released from it? Narrate your story.

Ans. Yes, I had a debilitating fear of darkness. Till I I was six years old, I was so afraid of the dark and what it contained that I refused to walk into a dark room until someone switched on the lights for me. At that time, I used to live with my parents in an old house. The house had many dark corners. One day, my mother asked me to get a book from the corner room. I reluctantly agreed. When I went there, I first imagined the room thick with monsters. But I went in anyway. Nothing happened. With each step, I grew more confident. By the time I reached the end of the room to switch on the lights, I had overcome my fear. I realised there was nothing to be afraid of. I took the book and left

31. Imagine you are Anees Jung, the author of ‘Lost Spring. You decide to narrate Doughlas’s story to the street children you meet to make them realise that where there is a will, there is a way.

Ans. William Douglas was a shy boy. He wanted to learn to swim. He listened to his mother’s warning and didn’t try learning to swim in the Yakima River. He chose the local Y.M.C.A. pool because it was safe. He was also a timid boy because he felt uncomfortable showing his skinny legs and did not use the pool by himself. When confronted with a problem, Douglas always had a plan. In spite of being dropped suddenly into the water, he didn’t panic. He formulated a plan and followed it. He was a fighter for trying again and again to reach the surface of the water. He knew when to seek help. When he was affected by the fear of water, he found an instructor. He was hardworking, dedicated and determined and followed the instructor’s advice to the tee. He was also a example of perseverance because he did all that was required to get rid of the terror completely.

32. Does a person’s profession affect their worldview? Examine “The Rattrap’ by Selma Lagerlöf in light of this question in about
120-150 words.

Ans. Yes, a person’s profession shapes their worldview. While there is no hard and fast rule, there is definitely a link between the two. If a person works at one thing their entire life, then they start viewing the world through that lens. For example, a teacher might look at the world as a life lesson to be learned or taught. A doctor might look at the world as something that needs to be healed. An ironsmith might look at the world as something that is shaped by physical forces. Similarly, the rattrap seller in The Rattrap’ looked at the world as a giant rattrap. He extended his philosophy by adding details that were sifted from his own experience. He interpreted the joys, shelter. food, heat and clothing as bait which trapped Tobis people in it

33. What according to Gandhi is self-reliance? How can one be self-reliant? Substantiate with reference to Indigo by Louis Fischer.

Ans. Being self-reliant means not depending on others. Gandhi believed in self-reliance. In the beginning of the Champaran action, British pacifist Charles Freer Andrews come to meet gel Gandhi before going on a tour of the Fiji Islands. Grim Gandhi’s lawyer friends thought he could stay Son and help. But Gandhi said no. He was totally Subd grigen against the idea. According to him, having an Englishman on their side would be a sign of weakness. The cause of Champaran was just so there was no need to make Andrews, a ‘prop’ in the struggle for justice Gandhi took this meaning of self-reliance to mean economic, social and cultural independence from the British. This was Gandhi’s lesson in self-reliance. Later in the Independence movement, Gandhi would apply this to every aspect of the Independence struggle.

34. Compare and contrast the two visits by artists from foreign countries at Gemini Studios in

Ans. There were two drastically opposite visits by foreign artists at Gemini Studios. The first visit to Gemini Studios was by Frank Buchman’s Moral Re-Armament army in 1952. The MRA O I was like an international circus as they had plays and circus acts in their programme. The two plays they staged, Jotham Valley’ and The Forgotten Factor’, were a huge success as the Gemini staff kept watching them again. and again. The message of the plays was not as impressive as the sets, which influenced the sets of Tamil plays. For years afterwards, almost all Tamil plays had a sunrise and a sunset scene just like in Jotham Valley. The second visit by a foreign artist was by the English poet and editor, Stephen Spender. This visit was in complete contrast to the MRA. The editor came and spoke in accented English, which made everything incomprehensible to the people at Gemini. His visit did not make that much of an impact. The audience were more mystified than impressed by him.

35. Examine the structure of the Introduction to The Penguin Book of Interviews’ by Christopher Silvester.

Ans. The Introduction starts by placing the interview in a historical context. The author says that the interview is 130 years young. Then the author talks about how widespread it is as a reader to encounter interviews. Every literate person must have come across it at least once in their lifetime. Then he addresses the other side which is the people who are interviewed, and how celebrities feel about being interviewed. Then the author quotes various celebrities like V.S. Naipaul, Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling. Mark Twain, HG Wells and Saul Bellow on how they feel about the interview. Finally, he winds up the introduction on a positive note. During this closure, he quotes Denis Brian on the positive aspects of the interview, the things that it can reveal and the power that the interviewer holds.

36. Contrast Sophie’s real world with her fantasies.

Ans. Sophie lived in two worlds. The first is a realistic world where she went to school and walked back from school with Jansie. When she entered home, she felt claustrophobic. She wanted to only talk to her brother Geoff. The second world is the one she loved living in It’s the world of her fantasy. In this world, she dreamt of becoming a boutique owner like Mary Quant or an actress because there was real money in that or even a fashion designer. If she needed money for the boutique, in her fantasy world she planned on immediately becoming a manager as soon as she joined the biscuit factory. Also in this fantasy world, she met the famous football player Danny Cassey,
who blushed a bit while talking to her and asked to meet her again to give an autograph for her little brother, Derek.

37. Irony is a literary technique by which the full significance of a character’s words or actions is clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character. Does the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’ come across as an example of the poet’s ironical situation? rant [Mod. Diksha]

Ans. In the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-six, the poet is in a dilemma as she sits alongside her mother in the car, on her way to the airport. She suddenly realises that her mother has aged, and the thought makes her uncomfortable She looks away outside the window of the car to see young children playing and running around on the streets. The childhood fear of losing her mother resurfaces in the poet and she is unable to express her feelings. Even at the end, as the poet is bidding farewell to her mother at the airport, all she does is smile at her mother. The inability of the poet to express the intensity of her emotions for the mother comes out through her writing, but we also realize that the poet is not aware of the same. This makes the poem an example of irony.

38. The subtle differences between ‘silence’ and ‘stillness’ play a crucial role in communicating the message of the poem. You have been asked to address you peers on this. Compose a draft detailing how the two ideas are different but complementary.

Ans. I agree that in Pablo Neruda’s poem ‘Keeping Quiet, silence and stillness are two different but complementary concepts. Silence is the absence of speech. Stillness is the absence of action. Both are important in this poem of Neruda’s. He believes they compliment each other, which is why he has used them almost synonymously. In the first stanza, he says, ‘we will all keep still, but in the last stanza he says, ‘you keep quiet and I will go. Hence, the call for stillness and the call for silence hold the poem between them. Stillness and quietness therefore, are two different sides of the same coin. One is incomplete without the Juic other. Neruda does not think that one can have silence without stillness or stillness without Grip silence. That is why he says, ‘let’s not speak in any language’ and ‘let’s stop for one second./ erkpur and not move our arms so much in the same stanza.

39. What is the function of beauty according to John Keats in ‘A Thing of Beauty’? Substantiate with reference to the text.

Ans. The function of beauty according to John Keats is to help humans deal with the trials and tribulations of their everyday lives. Keats says. A thing of beauty is a joy forever, which means the joy given by looking at and experiencing a beautiful thing is something that lasts forever. Even when the source of this beauty is no longer in sight, it stays in our mind’s eye. Since we live in a world of stress and violence, we are troubled and anxious. A big relief comes from watching beautiful things. Keats believes that beauty is the reason humans are able to live on earth in spite of having stressful lives. Beauty is a source of solace and comfort for humans.

40. The cry of not having money to do anything except carry on the business of making bangles, not even enough to eat, rings in every home. (The Lost Spring) far from the city we make our roadside stand and ask for Stand) Create a conversation between a some city money to feel in hand’. (A Roadside fod bangle maker and the owner of a roadside stand with reference to the above extracts. [CC You may begin the conversation like this: Owner of a roadside stand: Your bangles are pretty. Tell me about your experience in this business.

Ans. Owner of the roadside stand: Your bangles are pretty. Tell me about your experience in this business. Bangle maker: Yes, the bangles are pretty. But,
they have made our lives miserable. I would not want my children to carry on in this business. Owner of the roadside stand: Good God! Why do you say that? Bangle maker: We make bangles that are famous all over the country. But we hardly make enough to feed ourselves or give our children a decent future. Owner of the roadside stand: I understand what you are saying. Ours is a similar fate. We put this stand near the city hoping we can make some extra money. But nobody wants either w our produce or us. Bangle maker: Yes, they are all liars-politicians, middlemenand police. God help us because humans won’t

41. The poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’ is about the power of art. Justify or refute.

Ans. Indeed, Adrienne Rich’s poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s I lived a troublesome life as is evident from Tigers’ is about the power of art. Aunt Jennifer the poem. While she took time out of her busy life to create embroidered tigers, her life was very far from a rosy tapestry that she was stitching. Primarily, fear ruled her life. She embroidered fearless tigers as a way to get over the fear in her real life. When she stitched, her fingers fluttered, either because she was afraid or because she was abused and injured. She found it difficult to pull an ivory needle through the fabric. The wedding ring that bound her life to Uncle was heavy in life, and heavier after her death. What made it all bearable and tolerable was that she made art The author Neil Gaiman said, ‘Make good art Aunt Jennifer did just that. The power of her art is what made her become the subject of a poem. There would not even be a poem if Aunt Jennifer did not create those elegant prancing tigers on a panel

42. You are a reporter who has come across through word of mouth that a psychiatrist Sam Weiner had disappeared, and his friend Charley knew something about it. Write the story as an article with a headline for a newspaper.

Ans. Psychiatrist Disappears; Friend Suspected March 20, The Daily Post Popular psychiatrist and counsellor Sam Weiner has mysteriously disappeared. He has not been attending calls from his clients and landlord. His landlord has filed a missing person’s report. The police are looking into it He was last spotted talking to Mr. Charley at his office. Mr. Charley was his good friend and client, according to witnesses. The police have contacted Mr. Charley, who has given them all the information he knows about Mr. Weiner. One unusual thing he mentioned was about finding a third level at Grand Central Station, which he says is a doorway into 1894 United States. He suspects that Mr. Weiner has taken this unusual route to the past. He has offered a proof of Sam’s letter from 1894. The police however are not buying this story. They have arrested Mr. Charley for the time-being. Watch this space for more as the story unfolds.

43. What arrangements did the dewan make to escape the Maharaja’s Ire? Carry out an analysis of the dewan’s character? [Diksha]

Ans. The Maharaja had sunken into gloom and despair because he was unable to find the hundredth tiger. His anxiety grew into a frenzy and he began to take it out on his officers and subjects. The dewan grew scared of his superior’s outbursts and he decided to find a solution on his own. He remembered that there was a tiger that he had brought from the People’s Park in Madras and hidden at his house. It was very weak and old. He somehow managed to push it inside his car and drove it over to the jungle where the Maharaja was hunting. He pushed it out of the car near the Maharaja’s camp, and the tiger walked over and stood in front of the Maharaja. The king was overjoyed at this sight, and carefully aimed at and shot the tiger. Later on, the dewan realised that the bullet had missed its mark. But, again he took matters into his own hands and got some officers to kill it.

44. Flash fiction is a fictional work of extreme brevity. Imagine that you are a flash fiction writer. Write a piece of flash fiction involving the research vessel ‘Akademik Shokalskiy’.

Ans. Nikhil walked into the Russian research vessel ‘Akademik Shokalskiy: and promptly tripped and fell. His fellow student, Justine, helped him of people from around the globe. But everyone up. He felt so clumsy in this sophisticated crowd I smiled kindly at him. He introduced himself as Nikhil from India. She was Justine from France. Putting away his backpack, he spotted Tishani Doshi, the poet, talking to Geoff Green, the founder of the Students on Ice programme. He had dashed off an application in his attempt to get out of the stifling atmosphere at home. He did not expect to get in. But he did. He had read Tishani Doshi’s poetry. He wanted to go talk to her. So, he was about to move towards her when an announcement boomed out from the speaker asking for everyone’s attention. They I would soon be given an introduction. Geoff Green picked up the microphone and said, ‘Hello and welcome to Akademik Shokalskiy!

45. Imagine you are the General. Write down a diary entry on the day that Sadao tells you the prisoner escaped.

Ans. Dear Diary, Today Dr. Sadao Hoki came by to see me after operating on me a week ago. He has been a godsend to me. He asked me about those assassins. I had completely forgotten about it. So careless of me! He had asked for my council when he came here a few days back. I was supposed to send my personal assassins to get rid of that prisoner of war who had landed on Dr. Sadao’s doorstep. Now I am in Dr. Sadao’s hands. To be honest, I was already in his hands since he is my doctor. He said the prisoner has escaped. In a way I am relieved. I don’t have to do anything now. Dr. Sadao has sworn loyalty to me. I am sure he knows how to be silent. ! will also not refer to this incident outside this diary ever.

46. Both Derry and Mr. Lamb suffered physical and emotional damage, but Derry has a Lot of anger inside him while Mr. Lamb is serene. What will it take Derry to grow into someone like Mr. Lamb?

Ans. Derry and Mr. Lamb both suffered physical and emotional damage, but Derry’s wound is a fresh one. He is a young boy who is barely fourteen years old, whereas Mr. Lamb lost his leg in the war and uses a tin one. He is much older and therefore, wiser. He also had a lot of time to adjust to the cruelty of the world. He must have also suffered like Derry did before adfinding solace in nature and books. The serenity Starthat he exudes comes from experience. So, for Derry to grow up to become calmer and more relaxed, it would take time and understanding. Mr. Lamb has already offered his garden for Derry to hang out anytime. What is left unsaid is that he also will continue to advice Derry. The process has already begun, because Derry vie is a lot calmer and a lot less resentful by the end of the play than at the beginning.

47. What was the difference between M. Hamel as a teacher before and after the Berlin order?

Ans. Before the Berlin order, M. Hamel was a strict teacher who used his terrible’ iron ruler and scolded children who did not revise their lessons or were late Children were scared of his ruler. He sometimes sent students like Franz to do errands, such as to water his plants. He also took it easy when it suited him, sometimes giving the day off to the students if he wanted to take off himself. After the Berlin order, M. Hamel changed. He did not use the iron ruler. He became a kind and considerate teacher. He did not scold Franz when he was late for the class and didn’t answer the question on French participles. Instead, he took a philosophical view of his failure. He was also emotional since the Berlin order ended his career as a teacher in that school after forty years.

48. You read “Indigo’ in class and were impressed with Gandhiji’s stead fast devotion to SOS principles. You feel this is a new perspective of looking at the world and decide to pen down your thoughts in your diary Draft a diary entry expressing your learnings from the chapter.

Ans. 19th November,
8:00p.m.
Dear Diary.
For Gandhi, the principle was very important. It was far more important than the thing itself. This is evident from the remuneration that was arrived at for the peasants. The official enquiry that followed the discussions Gandhi had with the Lieutenant-Governor collected a lot of evidence against the landowners. When they saw this evidence, the landowners agreed in principle to return the money. But the amount of money was undecided. They were under the impression that Gandhi would of ask for a full refund. But he didn’t. He asked for 50% of the money extorted by the British. coup The representatives offered 25% thinking that Gandhi would not budge from his mark, but he accepted. Later, he explained that the principle was more important than the amount it itself.

49. Elaborate on the success of civil disobedience At Motihari

Ans. Civil disobedience is defined as ‘the refusal to comply with certain laws considered unjust. as a peaceful form of political protest. On Rajkumar Shukla’s request, Gandhi got involved in allievating the problems of the sharecroppers. When he called on the British Commissioner of the Tirhut Division in this regard, he was bullied and asked to leave. When he went to meet a mistreated peasant in the nearby village, Gandhi was followed by the police superintendent who served a notice for him to leave immediately. Gandhi accepted the notice and, on its receipt. I wrote that he would disobey the order. As a result, he was summoned to court the next day. But the people of Motihari turned up in large crowds. So large was the crowd that they could not be controlled without Gandhi’s help. This puzzled the authorities. At the trial, the magistrate asked Gandhi to fumish bail, which Gandhi refused. He then had to be dismissed by the magistrate. The trial was postponed and then the case was dropped. Civil disobedience was successful for the first time in India.

50. Examine the structure of the Introduction to The Penguin Book of Interviews’ by Christopher Silvester.

Ans. The Introduction starts by placing the interview in a historical context. The author says that the interview is 130 years young. Then the author talks about how widespread it is as a reader to encounter interviews. Every literate person must have come across it at least once in their lifetime. Then he addresses the other side which is the people who are interviewed, and how celebrities feel about being interviewed. Then the author quotes various celebrities like V.S. Naipaul Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling. Mark Twain, HG Wells and Saul Bellow on how they feel about the interview. Finally, he winds up the introduction on a positive note. During this closure, he quotes Denis Brian on the positive aspects of the interview, the things that it can reveal and the power that the interviewer holds.

Last-Minute Revision Strategies

1. Review Key Concepts: Go through your class notes, textbooks (Flamingo and Vistas), and important chapters. Pay attention to themes, characters, and literary devices.
2. Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve previous years’ question papers to get a feel for the exam pattern. Understand the types of questions asked.
3. Time Management: Allocate time wisely during the exam. Prioritize questions based on marks and difficulty level.
4. Stay Calm and Confident: Trust your preparation. Take deep breaths and stay focused during the exam.